Device for receiving and adapting a set of computer memory modules to a single computer memory module receiving socket

Abstract

A computer memory module adaptor is configured for adapting a computer memory module socket to receive a plurality of memory modules. The memory module adaptor includes a board with connecting pins for electrically connecting the adaptor to the computer memory module receiving socket, a plurality of support members mounted on the memory module adaptor for receiving 8-bit memory modules, and a circuit for adapting the 8-bit memory modules for use as a single higher-order parallel bit memory module.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the following is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent: 
     
       1. A memory module adaptor configured as a pluggable sub-assembly in a computer having a central processing unit and at least one memory module receiving socket, said memory module adaptor being configured to be received by said memory module receiving socket, said memory module adaptor being configured for receiving a memory module set and adapting said memory module set to said memory module receiving socket, said memory module set being selected from a plurality of memory module sets, each of said plurality of memory module sets consisting of a plurality of memory modules each having a set of predetermined properties, said set of predetermined properties consisting of a speed and a capacity, wherein said plurality of memory modules being adapted to function collectively as a single memory module equivalent having a unit speed and a unit capacity, said adaptor comprising: a plurality of electrical contacts making electrical connections between said memory module adaptor and said memory module receiving socket;   a plurality of connectors mounted on said memory module adaptor, said plurality of connectors being positioned for receiving one of said plurality of memory module sets, said plurality of connectors providing for electrical connections between said plurality of connectors and said plurality of memory modules;   a circuit means for adapting each one of said plurality of memory module sets to function as said single memory module equivalent, said circuit means connecting between said plurality of electrical contacts and said plurality of connectors; and   a filtering means resident within said circuit means, said filtering means receiving a plurality of signals originating from said central processing unit, said filtering means filtering noise from each of said plurality of signals.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory module adaptor further provides an adjustable presence detect code indicating the unit speed and the unit capacity of said single memory module equivalent, and wherein said circuit means further comprises a presence detect circuit, said presence detect code being one of a plurality of presence detect codes each corresponding to one of said plurality of memory modules sets. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said presence detect circuit is a passive device for selectively setting said adjustable presence detect code. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes a signal conditioning device having a plurality of input terminals configured for respectively receiving said plurality of signals originating from said central processing unit, said signal conditioning device further having a plurality of output terminals configured for respectively supplying said plurality of signals to each of said plurality of memory modules. 
     
     
       5. A memory module adaptor in a computer having a central processing unit and at least one memory module receiving socket, said memory module adaptor configured for being received by said memory module receiving socket, said memory module adaptor configured for interchangeably receiving a memory module set, said memory module adaptor configured for adapting said memory module set to said memory module receiving socket, said memory module set being selected from one of a plurality of memory module sets, each of said plurality of memory module sets consisting of a plurality of memory modules each having a predetermined set of properties consisting of a speed and a capacity, said plurality of memory modules being adapted to function as a single memory module equivalent having a unit speed and a unit capacity, said memory module adaptor generating a plurality presence detect codes each representing said set of properties of said single memory module equivalent determined by said memory module set, said memory module adaptor comprising: a plurality of electrical contacts allowing current flow between said memory module adaptor and said memory module receiving socket;   a plurality of connectors mounted on said memory module adaptor, each of said plurality of connectors respectively receiving one of said plurality of memory modules in said memory module set;   a circuit means configured for adapting each of said plurality of memory module sets to function as said single memory module equivalent;   a filtering means resident within skid circuit means, said filtering means receiving a plurality of signals originating from said central processing unit, said filtering means filtering noise from each of said plurality of signals; and   an adjusting means for selectively setting said plurality of presence detect code to correspond to said set of properties of said single memory module equivalent.   
     
     
       6. A converter wherein a plurality of memory modules having a predetermined data-bus width configuration is converted into a single memory module equivalent having an expanded data-bus width configuration so that said plurality of memory modules may be used in a computer having a central processing unit configured for using said expanded data-bus width configuration, said converter comprising; a printed circuit board;   a set of electrical contacts arranged on said printed circuit board for making connection with said computer;   a plurality of connectors mounted on said printed circuit board, each one of said plurality of connectors connecting one of said plurality of memory modules to said converter;   a circuit means for adapting said set of electrical contacts to said plurality of connectors to establish said single memory module equivalent having said expanded data-bus width configuration; and   a filtering means resident within said circuit means, said filtering means receiving a plurality of signals originating from said central processing unit, said filtering means filtering noise from each of said plurality of signals.   
     
     
       7. A converter for transforming a plurality of lower capacity memory modules into a single higher capacity memory module equivalent so that said plurality of lower capacity memory modules may be used in a computer having a central processing unit and at least one higher capacity memory module receiving socket, wherein each of said plurality of lower capacity memory modules includes a presence detect generating circuit for providing a presence detect code corresponding to a capacity and a speed of said respective lower capacity memory module, said single higher capacity memory module equivalent having a set of properties consisting of a unit speed and a unit capacity, said converter comprising: a printed circuit board;   a set of electrical contacts arranged on said printed circuit board for making connection with said higher capacity memory module receiving socket;   a plurality of connectors arranged on said printed circuit board, each of said plurality of connectors being adapted for connection with one of said plurality of lower capacity memory modules;   a circuit means of adapting said set of electrical contacts to said plurality of lower capacity memory modules;   a filtering means resident within said circuit means, said filtering means receiving a plurality of signals originating from said central processing unit, said filtering means filtering high frequency noise from each of said plurality of signals; and   a substitute presence detect circuit configured for disabling said presence detect generating circuit of each of said plurality of lower capacity memory modules and for providing a substituted presence detect code indicating said set of properties of said single, higher capacity memory module equivalent.